Cigarette dispenser



May 12, 1931 w. L. 'wHlTEslDl-:s 1,804,580

CIGARETTE DISPENSER Filed March 15, 1929 A2 sheets-sheet 1 May 12, 1931. w. I wHl'rEslDEs 1,804,580

` CIGARETTE DISPENSER l -Filed Match l5, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 12, 1931 y WALTER L.` WHITESIDES, F LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIAl CIGARETTE DISPENSER Application led Hatch 15, 1929. Serial Ho. 847,887.

This invention relates to and has for a main'object the provision of an improved type of dispensing mechanism arranged to support a plurality of articles such as ciga- 6 rettes and to eject one cigarette at each operation of the dispensing mechanism.

Another object is to provide a clgarette dispenser of -novel character capable ofbeing arranged in any suitable form for use, 0 but adapted particularly to be supported on a body having the form of an elephant or representation of other animals.

Still another object is to provide a hollow body in which the dispensing mechanism is enclosed and means supported on the body and accessible for holding a quantity ofcigarettes or the like so that` they may be fed one at a time to and ejected by meansof 'the dispensing mechanism.

"0 .'Other objects will appear as the description progresses. l

I have shown a preferred form of my invention, subject to modication within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit thereof, in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my dispenser on a reduced scale.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation thereof on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section of` the same on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the dispensing means proper. 5 Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the same on line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the same on line 6-6 of Fig. 4. .y

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation on line 7-7 0 of Flg. 2.

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on line 9--9 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side view of the 0 ejectmg mechanism on line 10-.-10 of Fig. 7 In order to rovide a fanciful and attrae tive novelty dispenser I prefer to form the body of the dispenser to correspond to that of an elephant within which the dispensing mechanism is mounted and enclosed, and on the saddle of which is carried the cigarettes to be dis ensed.

I pre er to arrange to operatively connect the dispensing mechanism with a. representation of the trunk of the elephant so that the movement of the trunk downward-V ly will eject a cigarette through a tubular outlet corresponding to one of the tusks at each operation of the trunk. It will be understood, however, that I may mount my improved dispensing and ejectingl mechanism in any other suitable form or type of body. As shown in. the drawings, the body of the device is in the form of an elephant and is made in two sections, A and A which may be permanently or detachably secured together by means oiga pluralityof bolts or screws Al, A1 etc.,l or otherwise.

The saddle of the body is provided with a rectuangular upwardly projecting hollow extension A2 which may be covered by a receptacle A3 detachably held on the open upper end of the portion A2. The receptacle A3 may be .formed with an ash compartment A4 and a match compartment A5,

' or'otherwise, as may be desired.

As shown in Fig. 7, the match compartment A5 may have an opening A6at the bottom through which a match box may extend so that it may be supported on a suitable bracket A7 attached to one of the body members A or A Within the body I prefer to mountall of the operating mechanism on and between a pairof plates or frame members B and B which may be transversely connected by means of a plurality of bolts B1, B1 etc. and held in spaced relation by means of tubular spacers B2, B2 etc., carried on said bolts. The operating mechanism, including the plates B and B', maybe supported on the bolts A1, and additionally by means of one or more feet as at B3, formed on each of said plates and adapted to rest upon suitable lugs A8, A8 formed internally of the body members.

The body is supportedlon legs A9, A9 etc., which simulate the legs of the elepliant or animal typified in the body. The 100 ody is entirely closed except at the mouth j which connects witha loop A through which a tubular ejector tube C extends and the project-ing end of said tube is bent upwardly and tapered toa point to correspond to the form of a tusk. EX- ternally of the mouth A10, however, the tube C may be provided with an opening C1 through which the cigarette may be ejected. The trunk D of the elephant is ivotally mounted on a pin or bolt D1 above the mouth A10 and held in the body members. Said trunk constitutes an operating member and has an inwardly pro'ecting arm D2 'D3 on the end of a flexible 'belt or band D4. Said band operatesover a roller D5 pivoted at its ends D6, D6 in the plates B and B. The band D4 is attached at its opposite end by means of a screw D7 to a roller D8 which is mounted on a in D9 journaled in the plates B and B an is adapted to wrap around said rollers for a plurality of convolutions, as shown in Fig. 2, when the trunk is in normal position.

. f At the rear end of the body I providey a drum E which is carried on a shaft E1 'ournaled in the plates Band B. The sha t E1 may have squared ends E2, E2 which are 'outer end o "held in the plates B and B so las to prevent the rotation of the shaft. Internally of the drum I Provide a s iral spring E3, the

which is xed at E4, by suitable means to the fla eE of the drum, `while the inner end d said's ring is attached to a pin E6 which is eld in the plate B so as to hold the drumv in tension.

The flange E5 carries on its outer face a fiexible bandl E7 which is attached at its end VE8'to the face of the drum and extends around the drum, as shown in Fig. 2, and thence forwardly in a horizontal plane below a cigarette receptacle F which is supported within the extension A2 of the body. he band lE7 extends thence forwardly over an idler roller e, and thence downwardly to and is attached to the roller D8 by means of a screwY VE9 or otherwise. The cigarette receptacle F is formedv of sheet metal or other suitable material and the bottom thereof is provided with a longitudinal nar'- row portion F1 which will accommodate but` one cigarette, and -a ledge F2 thereabove, as shown in Fig. 7. The front end F3 of the receptacle F has an opening F4 at the forward end of the channel F1 which registers with the passage C2 in the ejector tube C, as shown in Fi 2.`

Seated on the ledge `2 of receptacle F I provide an agitator plate F5 which has an arm F6 extending downwardly through a slot in the ledge 11 2. Said arm slidably engages a plate F7 which is attached to receptacle F and carries a pair or moreof pins F8 which extend through an elongated slot F9 in the arm F6, as shown in Fig. 10, for reciprocably supporting the agitator on the arm F6 and within the receptacle F. Externally of the drum E, the web E10 of the drum is provided with a flap E11 which is pivotally mounted on a fixture E12 so that as the drum is rotated in a clockwlse direction, as seen in Fig. 10, the flap E11 will yield relative to an extension F10 on the member F6, which intercepts the flap in its arcuate path of movement. On a movement ofthe drum in a counter-clockwise direction the flap will engage the extension F10 and elevate the arm F6 together with the agitator F5 within the receptacle F for displacing a cigarette from the ledge F2 and moving a cigarette into the channel F1 of said receptacle.

This operation is accomplished by means of a lip E13 which engages the flap E11, as shown in Fig. 10.

Shaft El has a ratchet G fixed thereto and held against rotation by means of a key G1. Said ratchet is shdable on the shaft El against the tension of spring G2, which is held on the shaft E1 between the web of drum E and the ratchet G, as shown in Fig. 3. Thus the spring G2 normally holds ratchet G out of the plane of a pawl G3, which is pivotally mounted on the web of drum E and is urged in the direction of the ratchet by means of a spr-iner G4 attached to the drum. n win be 'note that a p0rtion of the peripher of ratchet G is provided with a series o notches G5 adapted to be engaged by pawl-G3.

At` substantially diametrically opposite points the ratchet is cut away at G and G6 to provide clearance for a fixture' G7 which is attached to the web of a drum E and has a lu G8 normally in the plane of ratchet G w en the drum is retracted. The ratchet also has an inclined approach segment G9 registers with the notch G6 of the ratchet,

whereupon the ratchet will be vpermitted to restore to normal position out of engagement with the pawl G3, due to the tension of spring G2.

It will be observed that normally when the drum is at rest the lug G8 rests in the out away vportion G of the ratchet. As the drum moves forwardly the pawl G3 also moves in a corresponding direction -and tov4 a corresponding extent for engagement with successive notches G5 for the purpose of preventing the restoration of the drum to lnormal position until the completion of an ino operation of the' ejector. The ejecting operation is completed simultaneously with the registration of the lug G8 with notch G6, and thereafter the drum may be freely restored to normal position. y

The ejectin band E7 carries-on its outer surfaceia Hap 114 which. is pivotally mounted at E15 on a clip E16 suitably attached to the band E7. A portionE17of the flap is arranged for engagement with a portion E18 of the clip, as'shown in Fig. 5, to limit .the forward movement of the lap, which of the channel F1 and a shank E20 whichA corresponds to and moved `freely through the aperture F11. Thusat each operation of the ejector the flap E14 will be moved through the channel Fl against the rear end of the cigarette which rests in said channel so that the cigarettes will be forced cnt wardly from said channel into the passage C2 of the ejector tube C, after which it may' be dropped through the aperture C1 into the hand. At the end of the ejecting operation the flap E14 disengages the forward end of channel F1, and the reverse movement ofdrum E and band E7 will incline the flap forwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, whereupon the flap will move beneath the channel F1 until the drum has reached normal position.

The operation of my mechanism is as follows: s

A quantity of cigarettes are placed in the receptacle F, the lowermost of which will assume a position in the channel F1. When the operating member D is moved downwardly the drum E is correspondingly rotated against the tension of spring E3 in a counter-clockwise direction. The initial movement of the drum engages the ejector E14 with the cigarette in' the channel F1 and as hereinbefore described forces the cigarette outwardly through tube C; As the drum is moved lforwardly, the flap E13 moved beneath the arm F10 so that the ensuing reverse rotation of the drum will effect th`e engagement of the flap E13 with arm F10 for elevating the agitator F5 at each operation of the drum. Thus the cigarettes are jostled in the rece tacle F so that one of the cigarettes will all into the channel F 1 in preparation for a succeeding operation. It will be noted that it is necessary to move the operating member D downwardly to a maximum extent before a second ejecting operation can be accomplished.

the ratchet G with the pawl G3.

This is due to the selective enga ement of therwise, a partial operation of member D would only partially eject a cigarette from channel F1 y and would permit a second cigarette to fall into the channel rearwardly of the first, so that the channel might be congested in an ensuing operation. The operation of member D quickly is suilicient to dischargethe cigarette from the tube C for use.

I have provided a simple and effective dis-- penser for cigarettes in vwhich the mechal nism may be enclosedv against unauthorized access or enclosed against the entrance of dirt, and in such a manner that damage will be prevented thereto yet permitting access to the mechanism for any necessary purpose. I may, of course, modify the structure, form and arran ement of arts shown without enlarging t e scope o my invention beyond the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is:

1. VA cigarette dispenser comprising a hollow body includin a receptacle accessible from the top for lling, an ejecting mechanism enclosed by said body, an ejector tube leading from said receptacle outwardly through said body, an operating member mounted on said body and operatively connected with said ejecting mechanism, said ejecting mechanism including a band pro- -vided with an ejector thereon, movable through said" receptacle into engagement with and for moving a cigarette into said tube when moved in one. direction, spring means connected with said bands for moving the bandand ejector rearwardly and externally of said receptacle for restoring the ejector to normal position.V q

2.k A cigarette dispenser comprising a body including a receptacle for cigarettes,

said receptacle having a channel capable of accommodating only one cigarette at a time, an ejector movable throughsaid channel in engagement with a cigarette in an ejecting operation yand movable externally of said channel kwhen and as the same is restored to normal position, a spring held drum, a band connected therewith and supporting said ejector and means for operating said ejector, said drum serving to restore the ejector.

3. A cigarette ascharacterized in" claim 2, including means for preventing the restora tion of said ejector. except at the completion of an ejecting operation.

4. A cigarette dispenser comprising a body having a receptacle for cigarettes, and

an outlet permitting the ejection of one cigarette therethrough, a reciprocable ejector movable through said receptacle in an ejectf at both ends, an ejector slidably mounted in said body and movable through said channel'for ejecting a cigarette therefrom, means j `for operating said ejector, and means for restoring said` ejector externally of said channel to normal position.

channel, an ejector pivotally attached to said flexible band and movable throu h said channel in an ejeetin operation, an means associated with said rum for restoring said drum, said operating member, and said ejector to normal position, said ejector being movable externally of said channel upon restoration to normal position.

1Q. A cigarette dispenser as characterized in claim l1, including means for preventing the restoration of said ejector except at the completion of 'an ejecting operation.

13. A cio'arette dispenser as characterized in claim 11, including means in said receptacle operatively connected with said drum for depositing the cigarettes successively in said channel.v

WVALTER L. WHITESIDES.

.7. A cigarette dispenser comprising a u body having a cigarette receptacle provided with a channel for supporting a single cigarette in ejecting position, sait channel open at both ends, an ejector slidably mounted .in said body and movable through said channel for e'ecting a cigarette therefrom, a spring held band supporting said ejector means for operating said ejector, means for restoring said ejector externally of said channel to normal position, and means for preventing the restoration of said ejector except at the completion of van ejecting operation.

8. A cigarette dispenser as characterized in claim 6, including means .in said receptacle for agitating the cigarettes so as to deposit successive cigarettes in said channel.

9. A cigarette dispenser comprising a body having a cigarette receptacle provided with a channel open at opposite ends, a spring held drum adjacent said channel, an operatingmember, means connecting said operating member with said drum includin a flexible band movable externally of sai channel, an ejector attached to said band and movable through said channel in an ejectin operation and movable externally of sai channel for restoration to normal position by the tension of said band, an agitator including a member in said receptacle engaging said cigarettes, and means on said drum for actuating said agitator at each operation of the ejector.

10. A cigarette dispenser as characterized in claim 9,' including means for preventing the restoration of said ejector except at the completion of an ejecting operation.

11. A cigarette dispenser comprising a body having a cigarette receptacle thereon, a drum rotatably mounted therein, an operating member mounted on said body, means connectin said operating member with said drum, inc uding a flexible band, means for holding said band in tension, an ejector channel formed at the bottom of said receptacle, said band lbeing externally of said 

